Flatiron support



Sept 5 1955 F. w. KULICKE, JR 2,716,825

FLATIRON SUPPORT Filed Jan. l5, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept 5 1955 F. w. KULlcKE, JR 2,716,825

FLATIARON SUPPORT Filed Jan. l5, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent() FLATmoN'sUPPoRT Frederick W. Kulicke, Jr., Philadelphia County, Pa., as-

signor to Proctor Electric Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 1'5, 1952, Serial No. 266,556

17 Claims. (Cl. 353-79) The ypresent invention relates to ilatirons and more particularly to arrangements for supporting the iron in a raised fposition when not in use so that its heated sole plate is removed from the ironing surface.

Tlatirons of this `general type are not new and those which have 1gone into commercial use for the most part have .followed lines .of -construction which vnevertheless have certain disadvantages and objectionable characteristics. For example, in one construction use is made of one ormore supporting legs which extend forwardly and outwardly from the rear end of the flatiron to support the latter angularly above the ironing surface when the iron is not in use and which are adapted to be `received Within a recess or recesses provided .therefor in the sole plate. In .atirons of this construction, there is a tendency for thefsupporting leg orlegs to catch on the material being ironed, and moreover :the supporting legs occupy a substantial area of the sole .plate and lhence decrease the effective ironing area of the iron. Too, 'flatirons of this construction usually are provided kwith ltwo manually operated elements to trip the support mechanism and Vto effect latching of the support member in its fully retracted position yso that considerable manipulation is required of the operator when using the riron.

In the other atiron construction'use is made'of'a'single plunger positioned in the forward portion of the atiron and adapted to be projected downwardly to elevate `the atiron lfrom the ironing surface. -vWhen a atiron embodying this construction is disposed in its .raised posi tion, it is supported by means of the vplunger and by a supporting projection which extends laterally across the rear of the atiron. It isicustomary in this construction for the plunger to extend into the forward handle portion of the llatiron in its retracted position. While this type iron represents a substantial improvementin the commercial art, a tendency exists yfor heat Ifrom the sole plate to travel lay-convection,-conductionand radiation to the iron handle. The convection heat transfer is'especially prevalent when the flatiron is in its elevated position. In addition, the supporting projection which extends laterally across the rear end of the ilatiron obscures the rear edge of the sole plate of the iron from the View of fthe operator.

With the foregoing in mind, the pirncipal object of the present invention is to provide an improved atiron support construction which eliminates Vthe disadvantages and objectionable `characteristicsvof the atiron construction of the prior art'anditendsvto limit'theworkinglength and area ofthe sole plate.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a novel llatiron support construction which when not vin use is housed entirely within the cover plate ofthe llatiron.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a novel atiron that permits substantially complete thermaldisassociation between the support construction within -thc coverplate of the atiron and the manual actuatngmechanism in the handle.

A further object of the present invention is tor provide 2,7 15,825 Patented Sept. 6, 1955 l CC 2. a novel atiron support yconstruction which -does not obscure any portion of thesole plate of the iron.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel ilatiron support construction ofthe type described having the features andcharacteristics set forth and which may be manufactured at comparatively low cost.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the operation and construction thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l isa longitudinal section view of a flatiron made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sole plate and support mechanism of the atiron illustrated in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 isa longitudinal sectional view of the iiatiron illustrated vin Fig. 1 with the support mechanism in .its lowered or supporting position;

Fig. 4 is a Vfragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating operation of the trip mechanism used to project the supporting legs downwardly; and,

Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the support mechanism in a removed relation from the atiron.

According to the present invention a novel support mechanism for'ilatirons is provided which comprises a plut rality of leg members projected from the sole plate of the iron'downwardly to raise the sole plate of the iron above the ironing surface when the iron is not actually in use. When the .iron is in use the leg members .are maintained in a retracted position within the casing of the iron. The necessary force to project the legs downwardly andraise the iron abovethe ironing surface is provided by an overcenter spring mechanism after manual movement of said mechanism .beyond its .on center position. A link connects the forward and rear supporting legs and has a lost motion slot therein which permits the forward leg fto be projectedfdownwardly.prior to lmovement of the rear legs thereby fulcruming the viron about its rear surface during lifting Vwithout interference from positively driven rear support. The actuating mechanism 'for theleg members is enclosed within the handle of the .iron and is arranged to transmit the :actuating force through a leaf spring to the leg members whichhave a portion projecting through an opening in the coverplate. The actuating mechanism includes a low-heat conductivity compression member closely slidably fitted insaid'handle to reduce heat convection and still transmit force thru the leaf spring. The leaf spring is biased down and acts as a ap valve to close the openingin the cover-plate when the iron is in its .elevated position, and thusprevent heated airfrom rising vthru said opening.

vReferring more specifically to the drawings and par ticularly Figs. l and 4 thereof the ilatiron itself is of generally conventional form comprising a sole plate 10 having a conventional imbedded heating element 10a, a ycover plate or shell 11, and a handle `12 all suitably secured together. A thermostat 13 and thermostatic control knob 14 is secured to the sole plate 10 to permit the temperature ofthe sole plate to he controlled in the `usual manner. The electrical connections between the thermostat 13, the heating element 10a and the lsource of supply are of conventional form. .Suitablegasketing (not'shown) is preferably provided around the .shaft of the thermostat 13 and around any wiring between the sole plate and handle passing thru the coverplate to thereby minimize convection .heat flow. The front column 15 of the handle is hollow .to provide -a recess 16 therein communicating with the exterior of the handle through a slot 17 which extends through the rear wall .of the front column 15.

Pivotally mounted in the handle recess 16 .and extending outwardly therefrom through the slot 1'7 is an actuating lever 18 operable, when actuated, to cause a plurality of leg members to be projected downwardly, as more fully described hereinafter, to elevate the iron and remove the sole plate from the ironing surface. The actuating `lever 18 is pivotally mounted in the handle recess 16 as indicated at 21 and has a downwardly extending projection 22 at the forward end thereof adapted to engage a bell-crank 23. The bell-crank 23, in turn, is pivotally mounted in the handle recess 16, for example, as indicated at Z4 and has a downwardly extending projection 25 at the rear end thereof which is adapted to engage an axially movable plunger or compression link 26. The downwardly extending projection 22 of the operating lever 18 engages the forward surface of the bell-crank 23 and counterclockwise movement of the operating lever 1S by the user of the iron causes a camming action between the extension 22 and the crank 23 and pivots the crank 23 in the clockwise direction about its pivot-point 24. The camming action between actuating lever 18 and bell-crank V23 provides a larger force amplification at the beginning of the finger squeeze with a gradual reduction as the leg mechanism is forced beyond its on center position. This provides an easy lift action without excessive exertion on the part of the user.

The compression link 26 is mounted in a slot 27 at the lower end of the recess 16 for axial movement between predetermined limit positions and is normally urged upward into engagement with the projection 25 of the bell-crank 23 by means of the leg members, to be described presently, acting thru a leaf spring 2S. Counterclockwise movement of the operating link 18 by the user of the iron causes the compression link 26 to be forced downwardly by the bell-crank against the pressure of the leg mechanism to its lower position as determined by the bottorning of leaf spring 23 on top of the cover plate 11 (see Fig. 4). 1n this lower position, the leaf spring, normally biased downwardly, covers an opening 29 in the coverplate 11 thereby preventing iiow of heat by convection thru the opening 29 when the iron is in its supported position. To further reduce heat flow, the members 18, 23 and 26 are made of low heat conductivity material such as Bakelite. ln addition compression link 26 is provided with a minimum clearance in its slide bearing in the handle 12 to prevent rising heated air from entering the slot 27.

The iiatiren supporting mechanism provided by the present invention includes a leg frame, designated generally as 31, having a pair of rearwardly extending outwardly diverging arms 32, 32 thereon. The arms 32, 32 are pivotally mounted at their extreme rearward ends with respect to the sole plate, for example, by means of drive screws 33, 33 as illustrated in Fig. 2. Washers 34 are positioned between the arms 32, 32 and the drive screws and sole plate to permit free pivotable movement of the leg frame about the drive screws.

Fixedly secured to the forward end of the leg frame and extending downwardly therefrom is a forward leg member 35 which is adapted to be projected downwardly to remove the forward portion of the sole plate from the ironing surface. The forward leg member 35 is positioned in axial alignment with an opening 36 in the sole plate 1t) and may be projected through the opening 36. A powdered metal bushing 37, for example of a graphite-bronze composition, is positioned around the periphery of the opening 36 to limit friction between the forward leg member 35 and the sole plate 10. The bushing 37 may be positioned in the opening. for example, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 and maintained in position by peening the top of the side walls of the opening over the bushing. A slight clearance is provided between the forward leg member and the bushing to compensate for differential expansion in the parts.

Movement of the leg frame 31 to its upper and lower limit positions is accomplished by means of an overcenter torsion spring 38 formed, for example, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5. The spring 38 has a central portion 33a thereon which is secured to a lug 41 projecting downwardly from the upper surface of the shell or cover plate 11 while the extreme outer ends 38h of the spring are engaged by the arms 32, 32 of the `frame 31. The torsion in the spring 38 normally tends to urge the end portions 331) of the spring in the clockwise direction with respect to the central portion 38a. The spring 38 is constructed similar to the over-center spring described in detail in the Turner application, Serial Number 204,322, tiled January 4, 1951.

When the leg frame 31 is in its upper limit position the extreme end portions 38b of the spring 38 are positioned above an imaginary line drawn from the point about which the leg frame 31 is pivoted and through the central portion 38a of the spring 38. By this construction when the legs are in their retracted position the spring 38 normally urges the leg frame 31 upwardly against the surface of the cover member 11. A slight downward movement of the forward end of the leg frame 31 will cause the extreme end portions 38b of the spring 38 to move to a position below the imaginary line drawn from the pivot point of the leg frame 31 through the central portion 33a, as illustrated in Fig. 3, of the spring 38 thereby causing the spring 38 to exert a downward pressure on the leg frame 31. and force the leg frame to its lower limit position, as shown in Fig. 4.

In accordance with the present invention the forward leg member 35 extends upwardly above the upper surface of the leg frame 31 as illustrated in Fig. l and is adapted to engage the leaf spring 28 when the leg frame 31 is in its extreme upper limit position. Upon actuation of the operating lever 18 the compression member 26 acting through the leaf spring 28 forces the upper end of the forward leg member 35 downwardly thereby pivoting the leg frame 31 in the counterclockwise direction about its pivot point and causing the torsion spring 38 to force the leg frame 31 to its lower limit position.

Pivotally mounted centrally of the sole plate 10 and extending rearwardly therefrom is a yoke 42 which has a pair of rear supporting legs 43, 43 formed integrally therewith and extending downwardly from the rear portion thereof. The yoke 42 is pivotally mounted in the sole plate, for example, by means of drive screws 44, 44 in a manner similar to the mounting of the leg frame 31 and washers 45 are provided between the yoke and the drive screws and sole plate to permit free pivotal movement of the yoke 42. Pivotally secured to the yoke 42, for example as indicated at 46 in Figs. 1 and 5, is a connecting link 47 which interconnects the yoke 42 and the leg frame 31 in such a manner that downward movement of the forward leg member 35 will cause the rear leg members 43, 43 to be projected downwardly. The lower ends of the leg members 3S and 43 have elongated slots or openings 35a and 43a, respectively, therein which permits rapid dissipation of heat from the lower ends of the legs when in use to support the iron in the elevated position, thereby preventing scorching or burning of thc ironing surface.

The connecting link 47 has a lost motion slot 48 therein which is engaged by a crossbar 49 carried by the leg frame 31. When the leg frame 31 is in its extreme upper limit position the crossbar 49 engages the upper end of the slot 48 and maintains the rear leg members 43, 43 in their retracted position. Upon actuation of the operating lever 18 by the user of the iron the forward leg member 35 is projected downwardly in the manner previously described and the leg frame 31 is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction with respect to Figs. 1 and 4 about the drive screws 33, 33. During the initial portion of the downward movement of the forward leg 35 the crossbar 49 is out of engagement with both ends of 5 the slot 43 thereby permitting the forward leg to fulcrum the iron about its extreme rear surface without any interference from a positively driven rear support.

After the forward end of the iron has been raised a predetermined amount the crossbar 49 engages the lower end of the slot 48 and further downward movement of the forward leg member 35 causes the crossbar 49 to pivot the yoke 42 in the clockwise direction with respect to Figs. l and 4 about the drive screws 44, 44 and project the rear leg member 43, 43 downwardly to elevate the rear portion of the iron. By this construction movement of the rear leg members 43, 43 is controlled by movement of the forward leg -member 35 and it is only necessary to cause actuation of the forward leg member 35 to elevate the entire sole plate above the ironing surface. It should be pointed out that the work in lifting the rear edge of the sole plate provides a convenient arrangement for absorbing the excess energy in the moving front leg and over-center spring of the type shown.

When the rear leg members 43, 43 are in their retracted position the lower ends thereof are positioned immediately above openings 52, 52 in the sole plate 10. Powdered metal bushings 53, 53 are positioned about the periphery of the openings 52, 52 to .decrease the friction by the leg members 43, 43 and the sole plate. The l bushings 53 are maintained in position in the manner previously described for the forward bushing 37 by peening a portion of the sole plate over the upper surface of the bushings.

From the foregoing it will be observed that the present invention provides a novel support-equipped ilatiron which may be elevated above the ironing surface and supported by a plurality of leg members by exerting a slight pressure on an operating lever, and may be returned to the ironing surface and have the leg members Alocked in the retracted position by merely pressing downwardly on the handle of the iron. In addition it will be observed that the present invention provides a novel support-equipped flatiron in which the support mechanism is housed solely within the cover plate of the flatiron and any mechanical connections between the manual operating members are arranged to minimize heat flow. Furthermore, the entire periphery of the sole plate is visible thereby making the iron easier to use.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein it is not intended to limit the invention tosuch a disclosure and changes and modifications may be incorporated and ernbodied therein within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a flatiron, a sole plate having an opening in the forward part thereof and also having a pair of laterally spaced openings in the rearward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole plate and forming therewith an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with the forward opening of said sole plate, a lirs't support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a front leg member associated with the forwardly disposed openings of the sole plate and cover and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position in which it projects through the forward opening of the sole plate and supports the forwardpart of the llatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, means within said enclosure operatively connected to said support means to retain the same in either of its positions, manually-operable means engageable with the upper end of said leg member to move it from its retracted position toward its projected position, a second support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a pair of rear leg members associated with the rearwardly `disposed openings of the sole plate and movable between an upwardly retracted position within saidenclosure and a downwardly projected position in which they support 6 the rearward part of the ilatiron in elevated relation to' the ironing surface, and means within said enclosure operatively interconnecting the two support means to effect actuation of said second support means -by said first support means.

2. In a flatiron, a sole plate having .an opening in the forward part thereof and also having a pair of laterally spaced openings in the rearward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole plate and forming therewith an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with the forward opening of said sole plate, a first support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a front leg member associated with the forwardly disposed openings of the sole plate and cover and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position in which it projects through the forward opening of the sole plate and supports the forward part of the flatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, means within sa-id enclosure operatively connected to said support mea-ns .to ,retain the same in either of its positions, manually-operable means engageable with the upper end of said .leg member to move it lfrom its retracted position toward its projected position, a second support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a pair of rear leg members .associated with the rearwardly disposed openings of the sole plate and movable between an upwardly retracted position within said enclosure and a downwardly projected position in which -they support the rearward part of the flatiron in elevated relation to the ironing surface, and a lost-motion connection between the two support means operative to effect delayed actuation of said second support means by said first support means.

3. A flatiron according to claim 2, wherein said first support means comprises an elongate member having one end pivoted at the rear of the atiron and extending forwardly thereof and carrying Vthe front leg member at its front end, and said second support means comprises a yoke pivoted approximately midway of the length of the flatiron .in straddling relation to the r'irst support means and carrying the rear leg members.

4. In a flatiron, a sole .plate having an opening Vin .the forward part thereof and also having a pair :of Ylaterally spaced openings in the rearward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole .plate and forming therewith `an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with the forward `opening of said sole plate, a first support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a front leg member associated with the forwardly disposed openings of the 4sole plate and cover and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position .in ywhich it Vprojects through the forward opening of the sole plate and supports the forward part .of the flatiron yin elevated relation to an ironing surface, an over-center mechanism within said enclosure operatively connected to said `support means to move said leg member to either of said positions upon movement of .the leg member `in either direction suficiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, manually-operable means engageable with the upper end of said leg member to move it from its retracted position suliiciently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, a second support means ymovably mounted within said enclosure including a pair of lrear leg members associated with the rearwardly disposed openingof the sole platefand movable between an upwardly retracted position within said enclosure and a downwardly projected position in which they support the rearward partof the atiron in elevated relation tothe'ironing surface, land means operatively interconnecting `the two support 'means to effect actuation of said second support means by said first support means.

5. In a atiron, a sole plate having an opening in the forward part thereof and also having a pair of laterally spaced openings in the rearward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole plate and forming therewith an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with the forward opening of said sole plate, a first support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a front leg member associated with the forwardly disposed openings of the sole plate and cover and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position in which it projects through the forward opening of the sole plate and supports the forward part of the liatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, an over-center mechanism within said enclosure operatively connected to said support means to move said leg member to either of said positions upon movement of the leg member in either direction sufiiciently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, manually-operable means engageable with the upper end of said leg member to move it from its retracted position sufficiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, a second support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a pair of rear leg members associated with the rearwardly disposed openings of the sole plate and movable between an upwardly retracted position within said enclosure and a downwardly projected position in which they support the rearward part of the flatiron in elevated relation to the ironing surface, and means operatively interconnecting the two support means to effect actuation of said second support means by said first support means after said over-center mechanism has passed its center position.

6. ln a tiatiron, a sole plate having an opening in the forward part thereof and also having a pair of laterally spaced openings in the rearward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole plate and forming therewith an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with the forward opening of said sole plate, a first support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a front leg member associated with the forwardly disposed openings of the sole plate and cover and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position in which it projects through the forward opening of the sole plate and supports the forward part of the atiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, an over-center mechanism within said enclosure operatively connected to said support means to move said leg member to either of said positions upon movement of the leg member in either direction sufficiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, manually-operable means engageable with the upper end of said leg member to move it from its retracted position sufiiciently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, a second support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a pair of rear leg members associated with the rearwardly disposed openings of the sole plate and movable between an upwardly retracted position within said enclosure and a downwardly projected position in which they support the rearward part of the flatiron in elevated relation to the ironing surface, and a lost-motion connection between the two support means operative to effect actuation of said second support means by said first support means after said over-center mechanism has passed its center position.

7` ln a atiron, a sole plate having an opening in the forward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole plate and forming therewith an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with said sole plate opening, a handle secured to said cover and having a recess in the forward part thereof, support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a leg member associated with said openings and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position in which it projects through sail sole plate opening and supports the forward part of thc flatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, means within said enclosure operatively connected to said support means to retain the same in either of its positions, an operating lever pivotally mounted in said handle recess for pivotal movement between predetermined limit positions, a member mounted in the handle recess in engage ment with said lever and movable thereby, and a conipression link slidably mounted in the handle in engagement with said last member and operable by said lever to exert downward pressure on the upper end of said leg member to move it from its retracted position.

8. A flatiron according to claim 7, including cam surfaces on the operating lever and the member engaged thereby to transmit motion therebetween with a gradually' increasing mechanical advantage.

9. A. flatiron according t0 claim 8, wherein the member engaged by said lever and engaging said compression link is inthe form of a bell crank.

l0. ln a tiatiron, a sole plate having an opening in the forward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole plate and forming therewith an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with said sole plate opening, a handle secured to said cover and having a recess in the forward part thereof, support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a leg member associated with said openings and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position in which it projects through said sole plate opening and supports the forward part of the tintiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, an overcenter mechanism within said enclosure operatively connected to said support means to move said member to either of said positions upon movement of the leg momber in either direction sufficiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, and means including a manual element mounted in said handle recess to exert downward pressure on the upper end of said leg member to move it from its retracted position sufficiently to effect overcenter action of said mechanism.

ll. In a flatiron, a sole plate having an opening in the forward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole plate and forming therewith an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with said sole plate opening, a handle secured to said cover and having a recess in the forward part thereof, support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a leg member associated with said openings and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position in which it projects through said sole plate opening and supports the forward part of the flatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, an overcenter mechanism within said enclosure operatively connected to said support means to move said leg member to either of said positions upon movement of the leg member in either direction sufficiently to effect overcenter action of said mechanism, an operating lever pivotally mounted in said handle recess for pivotal movement between predetermined limit positions, and a compression linlc slidably mounted in said handle and operable by said lever to exert downward pressure on the upper end of said leg member to move it from its rctracted position sufficiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism.

l2. In a fiatiron, a sole plate having an opening in the forward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole plate and forming therewith an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with said sole plate opening, a handle secured to said cover and having a recess in the forward part thereof, support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a leg member associated with said openings and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position in which it projects through said sole plate opening and supports the forward part of the flatiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, an over-center mechanism within said enclosure operatively connected to said support means to move said leg member to either of said positions upon movement of the leg member in either direction suiliciently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, an operating lever pivotally mounted in said handle recess for pivotal movement between predetermined limit positions, a member mounted in the handle recess in engagement with said lever and movable thereby, and a compression link slidably mounted in the handle in engagement with said last member and operable by said lever to exert downward pressure on the upper end of said leg member to move it from its retracted position sufficiently to effect over-center action of said mechanism.

13. A atiron according to claim 12, including cam surfaces on the operating lever and the member engaged thereby to transmit said first support means after said over-center mechanism has passed its center position.

14. A flatiron according to claim 13 wherein the member engaged by said lever and engaging said compression link is in the form of a bell crank.

15. In a atiron, a sole plate having an opening in the forward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole plate and forming therewith an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with said sole plate opening, a handle secured to said cover and having a recess in the forward part thereof, support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a leg member associated with said openings and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position in which it projects through said sole plate opening and supports the forward part of the atiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, means within said enclosure operatively connected to said support means to retain the same in either of its positions, a resilient sealing member secured to said cover and overlying the cover opening, and means including a manual element mounted in said handle recess to exert downward pressure on the upper end of said leg member to move it from its retracted position through engagement with said sealing member, the latter serving during support of the atiron to prevent loss of heat through the cover opening.

16. A flatiron according to claim 15, wherein said sealing member is in the form of a downwardly biased leaf spring.

17. In a atiron, a sole plate having an opening in the forward part thereof, a cover secured to said sole plate and forming therewith an enclosure, said cover also having an opening in the forward part thereof generally aligned with said sole plate opening, support means movably mounted within said enclosure including a leg member associated with said openings and movable between an upwardly retracted position in which it projects through the cover opening and a downwardly projected position in which it projects through said sole plate opening and supports the forward part of the atiron in elevated relation to an ironing surface, an over-center mechanism within said enclosure operatively connected to said support means to move said leg member to either of said positions upon movement of the leg member in either direction suiciently to effect over-center action of said mechanism, and manually-operable means engageable with the upper end of said leg member to move it from its retracted position suciently to effect over-center action of said mechanism.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,185,915 Ginder Jan. 2, 1940 2,224,896 Burian Dec. 17, 1940 2,302,365 Bircks Nov. 17, 1942 2,308,941 Stevenson Ian. 19, 1943 2,582,082 Swenson Jan. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 68,076 Norway July 17, 1944 816,541 Germany Oct. 11, 1951 

